Fluid meter



Jan. 14, 1947. N. BREWER 2,414,086

FLUID METER Filed Nov. 25, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 '1 VEN TOR.

remedies. 14, 1947 1 .rwmmrran" Nathaniel Brewer, Hatfield, la., assignor to Fischer & Porter Company, Hatboro, Pm, a corporation of Pennsyl Application November 25, 1943, Serial No. 511,019

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to meters responsive tovariations in a variable condition and it relates more particularly to meters for remote indication, recording and integration of a variable condition, such as, for example, fluid flow.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for accurate remote indication, recording and integration oi. rate-of-flow of a fluid. Other objects and advantages oi. th present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanyi drawings. K

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to i be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the inventionconsists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate lik parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a view, on an enlarged.

scale, showing the magnetic switch mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the rotameter indicating and transmitting unit of the, present invention.

Figure 4 represents an elevational view of the impedance bridge receiving unit of the present invention, parts being broken away better to reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 5 represents a wiring diagram illustrating the manner of connecting the transmitting and receiving coils of the impedance bridge.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a

character I0, is adapted to indicate rate-of-flow of fluid through a pipe-linear the like and is also adapted electrically to transmit the rate-of-fiow to a remote receiving unit shown in Figure 4 which is adapted continuously to record the rateof-flow and also to indicate total flow of fluid during a predeterand an upper outlet fitting 14 adapted for connection to an outlet pipe-line or the like, the ends of the metering tube l2 being held. in fluidtight sealing relationship with stufilng boxes I! and ii of said fittings l3 and 14 respectively, by means of lower and upper packing rings I1 and I8 and lower and upper adjustable tufllng glands i9 and respectively. A metering float 21 includes an uppermost conical flow-constricting head portion 22 adapted for free up-and-down movement within said metering tube l2 and an elongated closed tube 23 extending downwardly from said head portion 22.

A well 24 of suitable corrosion-resistant nonmagnetic material extends downwardly from the lower end of the metering tube l2 and through v the inlet fitting l3, a drain valve25 being provided in the lower end of the well 24.

The well 24 is open at its upper end, so that 20.it is, at all times, filled with the fluid being 25 Cutside the well 24 and around it are wrapped 'rotameter, indicated generally by the reference metered. The extension tube 23 of the metering float 2! extends downwardly within the well 24, the tube 23 carrying a. soft iron armature 2B within its lower end.

upper and lower sets of balanced impedance transmitter coils 21 and 28.

The position of the impedance coils 21 and 28 may be vertically varied by means of lowermost screw-threaded adjusting nuts 29 working against the uppermost coil spring 30.

A-case 3| surrounds the impedance coils 21 and 28 and is provided with a box 32 from which the lead wires to the coils emerge. I

An outer removable casing 33 having a window 34 therein surrounds the metering tube l2, a scale 35 being positioned alongside the tube I2 whereby the position of the metering float may be read ofi against the calibrations on the scale.

The impedance transmitter coils 21 and 28 are electrically connected to a pair of balanced impedance receiver coils 36 and 31 as shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 5.

The laterally-disposed receiver coils 36 and 31 are identical in construction, the coils being wound about cores 38 and 39 which are hard glass tubes having mirror-smooth cylindrical inner bores of extreme accuracy.

Soft iron armatures 40 and. are disposed for free up-and-down movement within the cores 38 and 39 respectively, the armatures 40 and 4| being supported from opposite ends of a balance beam 44 by flexible cords 42 and 43 respectively. The ends of the beam 44 are formed as vertical arc segments 45 and 46, the cords 42 and 43 being connected to th tops of the segments 45 and 46 and extending downwardly over the segments so that the armatures 49 and 4| always hang in the same vertical lines. there being no lateral movement or the armatures with tilting of the balance beam 44.

The balance beam 44 is provided with an inverted V-groove 41 which rests upon knife edges 48 to permit tilting of the beam. The beam 44 is provided with an adjustable weight 49 for bal-' ancing the beam.

A pen arm 50 is pivoted as at 5| and is connected to the beam 44 by suitable linkage 52 whereby the pen arm 56 will be moved upon tilting of the beam 44, a pen 53 on' said arm 50 being adapted to record said movement upon a chart 54 which is rotated by a synchronous electric motor 65.

The operation of the present invention in recording r'ate-of-flow of fluid will now be described.

When there is no upward flow of fluid through V the metering tube l2, th metering float 2| being somewhat greater in specific gravity than the fluid being metered, remains in its lowermost position. As rate-of-flow increases, the float rises within themetering tube l2, the height of the float indicating rate-of-flow in a manner well known in the art.

Movement of the metering float 2| responsive to changes in rate-of-flow causes corresponding changes in the position of the armature 26 relative to the impedance transmitter coils 21 and 28; the higher the metering float, the greater is the proportion of the armature 26'within' the upper impedance coil 21 and correspondingly less is the proportion of the armature 26 within the lower impedance coil' 28. As is well known in the art,

the impedance of the upper coil 211s thus increased while the impedance of the lower coil 28 is correspondingly decreased.

In the balanced electrical circuit shown in Fig ure 5 this variation in impedance will vary the current in the receiver coils 36 and 31 and will tend to move the armatures 40 and 4| to corresponding positions within their respective coils. That is, as the armature 26 moves upward relative to' the transmitter coils 21 and 28, the greater impedance of the upper transmitter coil 21 decreases the currentin the left hand receiver coil 31, while th lesser impedance of the lower transmitter coil 28 increases the current in the right hand receiver coil 36. In this way, upward movement of the armature 26 will cause a downward movement of the armature 40 and an upward movement of the armature 4| to result in a clockwise tilting-of the balance beam 44. Similarly, downward movement of the armature 26 will result in a counterclockwise tilting of the balance beam 44.

It is apparent, therefore, that movements of the metering float 2| responsive to variations in rate-of-flow will be duplicated by movements of the pen 53 upon the rotating chart 54 to give a continuous record of the rate-of-fiow.

The use-of hard glass cores 38 and 39 for the coils 36 and 31 affords distinct advantages over conventional constructions.

Thus, it is well known that, in an impedance coil, the armature is pulled up against the side of the .core by the magnetic field so that a certain amount of friction results which, in conventional constructions, constitutes a serious factor in determining the sensitivity and accuracy of the unit. The use of glass cores having extremely hard and smoothly accurate cylindrical inner bores reduces this friction and resulting error to a minimum.

Furthermore, th use of glass cores together with the vertical arcsegments 45 and 46 on the 5 balance beam 44 (the vertical arc segments 45 and 46 maintaining the'armatures 40 and 4| at the same-vertical line regardless of tilting of the beam 44) permits the use of smaller diameter cores which, in turn, allows-more windings to be placed upon a core of a given axiallength. This increase in the number of windings possible increases the strength of the magnetic fleld created by the coils and thus increases the sensitivity of the impedance bridge.

The balance beam construction of the present invention has a further advantageover conventional constructions in that the use of inverted V-grooves 41 on the beam 44 resting upon knife edges 48 on the beam support protects the knife edge from dust or other foreign matter which would cause deterioration or loss of sensitivity (as distinguished from conventional beam constructions in which exposed knife edges are carried by the beam and are supported from underneath). The mechanism thus farf described has for its purpose the-remote indication and recording of the rate-of-flow of fluid passing through the rotameter |ll.- The present invention also includes means for integrating the fluid flow so as to register the total amount of fluid which has passed through the rotameter l0 during any elapsed period of time.

This mechanism, which is shown particularly in Figures 1 and 2, includes a conventional electrical counter 56 which is adapted to make one numerical count in the unit digit column with each break of the electrical circuit following a make of the circuit; the'period of time during which the circuit remains open or closed being immaterial.

The make and break of the circuit is accomplished by means of a magneticallyeactuated mercury switch 51 which is operated by a permanent bar magnet 58 in a manner to be hereinafter 45 described.

The mercury switch 51, a shown particularly in Figure 2, includes a sealed glass body 59 having a small lowermost well 60 which contains a bead of mercury 6|. A fixed electrode 62'extends down- 50 wardly from the top of the body 59 and into the mercury bead 6|.

An arm 63 is mounted at the top of the body 59 and supports one end of a spiral hair spring 64,

the other end of which extends downwardly and 55 terminates in a plate or flag 65 of iron or the like which is sensitive to magnetism. Extending gen-' erally horizontally from the lower edge of the fla is a wire 66 the other end of which terminates in a generally vertically extending mova- 0 ble electrode 61. The horizontal wire 66 is supported intermediate its'ends by a looped rod 68 descending from the arm 63.

In its normal position the mercury switch 51 v is open; the movabl electrode 61 being held 65 clear of the mercury bead 6| as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. When, however, either pole of the bar magnet 59 is brought adjacent the right hand side of the mercury switch 51, the magnetic attraction will move the flag 65 to the right 70 against the tension of the-hair spring 64 until the switch assumes its closed position, shown in solid lines in Figure 2, in which the movable electrode 61 enters the mercury bead 6|. So long as the magnetic field from the magnet 58 is uninterrupted the mercury switch 51 will remain 5. closed; the upper end of the fixed electrode 82 and the upper end of the arm 88 (which is in electrical connection with the movable electrode 81 through the spring 84, the flag 88 and the wire 88) passing through the body 88 of the mercury switch and connecting with a cable 88 leading to the counter 88. Immediately upon interruption of the magnetic field from the magnet 458, the movable electrode 81 will be moved to its open position by the spring 84 to breakthe electrical circuit and to operate the counter 58. a a \an interruptor wheel 18, which is of steel or other magnetic material, is positioned intermediate the bar magnet 58 and the mercury switch 51. The interruptor wheel 18 is provided with a plurality of radial slots 1| whose function will be hereinafter described. The interruptor wheel. is

keyed to' a rotatable shaft 12, the shaft 12 having a totalizer wheel-18 keyed to its other end.

The totalizer wheel has a hardened knurled periphery 14 which is adapted to be engaged upon upward movement of a pawl 15 mounted upon one arm 16 of a V-shaped actuator 11 which-v is loosely pivoted to the shaft 12 as at 18. The actuator 11 is swept upward at regular intervals by an eccentric crank 18 hearing against the other arm 88 of said actuator 1.1, the eccentric crank be; ing driven by the synchronous motor 55 through a shaft 8|.

While the uppermost limit of travel of the actuator 11 is fixed, its lowermost or starting position is variab e and is governed by the position of a calibrati n cam 82. That is, the actuator 11 is supported in its lowermost position by a pin 83 carried at the outer end of the arm 16 and resting upon the periphery of the calibration cam 82.

During upward movement of the eccentric "crank 18, the actuator 11 is moved upwardly and the knurled periphery 14 of the totalizer wheel and'a correspondingly'greater rotation of the totalizer wheel 13.

- The calibration cam 82 is mounted upon a shaft .84, the other end of which carries a pinion gear 88. which is in engagement with a rack 88, the

rack 88 being connected to the beam 44 by means 01' an arm 81 so that tilting. of the beam 44 causes of the upward movement of the actuator 11 bear the same proportion to the ,maximum upsweep and extent of movement 'as the instantaneous rate-of-flow reading bears to themaximum rateof-flow reading. Accordingly, the rate of rotation (R. P. M.) of thetotalizer wheel 13 and of the interrupter wheel 18- bears the same relation to the maximum rate of rotation as the instantaneous rate-of-fiow reading bears to the maximum rate-of-flow reading. J

It is apparent that, as the interruptor wheel 10 is rotated, the magnetic field of the magnet 58 is intermittently interrupted. That is,'whenever an unslctted portion of the wheel 10 is intermediate the magnet 58 and the mercury switch 51, the metal of the wheel will deflect the magnetic field from the switch so that the switch remains open. When, on the other hand, one of the slots 1| of the wheel 18 comes in line with the magnet 58 and the switch 51, the magnetic field of the magnet is free to actuate the switch and to close the electrical circuit.

?3is engaged by the pawl 15 to rotate the totalizer wheel counterclockwise as in Figure 1. During downward movement of the eccentric crank 18, following each upward sweep, the pawl 15 is disengaged from the knurled periphery "so that the From the foregoing explanation, it is apparent that the mercury switch 51 will automatically close the moment after the leading edge of each a slot comes in alignment with the switch and the magnet and will remain closed as long as the slot 1| remains in such alignment and that, as

soon as the leading; edge of each unslctted segtotaiizer wheel 13 does not rotate, the actuator 11 descending until the pin 83 strikes the periphery oi the calibration cam 82.

It can be seen that the pin 83 will prevent the actuator 11 from following the eccentric crank to the bottom of the latters travel and, therefore, the upward movement of the actuator 11 on the next succeeding stroke will not begin until the eccentric. crank 18 has moved upwardly suflicient- 1y to again contact the arm 88 and to lift the pin ment of the wheel 10 comes intermediate the magnet and the mercury switch, the switch will automatically open to register one numerical count on the counter 56. Thus, the number of 0 counts registered on the counter 56 will be equal bears the 83 from the periphery of the calibration cam 82.

It is obvious, therefore, that the extent of travel of the actuator 11, and consequently the extent of rotation of the totalizer wheel 13, is dependent upon the starting point of the pin 83 as determined by the position of the calibration wheel 82. That is, if the calibration cam 82 is in the position shown in Figure 1, the pin 83 will be supported at a relatively high resting position so that the actuator 11 will be engaged much after starting of upward movement of the eccentric crank 18 so as to give a relatively small movement of the actuator 11 and a relatively small angle of rotation of the totalizer wheel 13. If, on the other hand, the calibration cam were rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 1 it is apparent that the starting position of the pin 83 would be moved downwardly to give a correspondingly greater. movement of the actuator 11 to the rate of rotation of the interruptor wheel 18 multiplied by the number of slots or segments onthe wheel.

It follows, therefore, that the number of counts same proportion to the maximum number of counts as the given rate-of-flow reading bears to the maximum rate-of-fiow reading of the rotameter.

Since the total flow (figured as gallons or 60 pounds or any other convenient unit) passing through the rotameter during any elapsed period of time at the maximum rate-of-flow can readily be determined, it is a simple matter to calculate the total flow actually passing through the rotameter during the same period of time by multiplying the maximum rate of flow by an integrator'factor; the integrator factor being the ratio of actual counts to maximum countsfor the elapsed period.

By way of illustration, if it is known that, at maximum rate-of-flow, 500 gallons of fluid will pass through the rotameter in one hour and/that the total number of counts at such maximum rate-of-flow is 320, and if it is found in actual operation that only counts were registered during the hour. it is apparent that the total flow which actually passed through the J rotameter during that hour was 250 gallons. Similarly, an

actual count of 80 would indicate a total flow of- 125 gallons, while an actual count of 288 would indicate a total flow of 450 gallons.

The integrating mechanism of the present invention has several distinct advantages over Another advantage of the integrator of the present invention isthat it permits the use of 2 or more electrical counters at any convenient location by simply connecting them in parallel with the mercury circuit.

Furthermore, electrical ticketor tape-printing counters of conventional construction can be used in place of, o'r'in addition to the counter described hereinabove.

,As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 3, the remote rate-of-ilow recorder and the integrator can be combined in a single unit for convenient reading.

While, for purposes of illustration, the integrator mechanism of the present invention has been described in connection with measurement of fluid flow wherein it constitutes a. preferred embodiment, it is apparent that the integrator mechanism could be used equally well in connection with measurement of other variable conditions, such as temperature, pressure, etc. That I is, it is apparent that the calibration cam could be rotated by the action of elements sensitive to variations in other conditions. For example, the calibration cam could be rotated by a temperatureor pressure-sensitive 'element such as a Bourdon tube.

The integrator of the present invention could also be used, for example to integrate, into total miles covered, the readings of a speedometer indicating miles per hour. Again, it could be used to integrate, into total pounds carried, the readings of a continuous weigher measuring pounds per minute carried by a belt conveyor or the like The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect 'by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a system for remotev indication of fluid rate-of-flow having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a float adapted for free up and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow of fluid through said tube and having indicating means remote from said rotameter; an extension tube disposed in axial alignment with said metering tube, an elongated member extending from said metering float into said extension tube, a balanced beam connected to said indicating means, and means for tilting said beam responsive to movements of said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an alternating currentv impedance circuit including a pair of 'end-to-end co-axial transmitter coils disposed about said extension tube, an armature carried by saidelongated member and adapted to be moved with said transmitter coils by said float, a pair of generally vertical 7 laterally-disposed parallel cylindrical receiver coils, and a pair of armatures carried by said beam and extending within said receiver coils and adapted to be pulled thereby so as to exert opposite moments upon said beam, the relative impedance of said transmitter coils being varied upon movement of the float-carried armature thereby to vary the current flowing in the respective receiver coils so as to vary the pull onthe respective beam armatures and thus totilt said beam. v

2. In a system for remote indication of fluid rate-of-flow having a rotameter including a ver- .tical metering tube and a floatada-pted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow of fluid through said tube and having indicating means remote from said rotameter; an extension tube disposed inaxial alignment with said metering .tube, an elongated member extending from said metering float into said extension tube, a balanced beam connected to said indicating means, and means for tilting said beam responsive to movements of said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an alternating current impedance circuit including a pair of end-to-end co-axial transmitter coils disposed about said extension tube, an armature carriedby said elongated member and adapted to be moved within said transmitter coils by said float, a pair of generally vertical laterally-disposed parallel cylindrical receiver coils, and a Pair of armatures carried by said beam and extending within said receiver coils and adapted to be pulled thereby 'so as to exert opposite moments upon said beam, the relative impedance of said transmitter coils being varied upon movement of the float-carried armature thereby to varythe current flowing in the respective receiver coils so as to vary the pull on the respective beam armatures and thus to tilt said beam, said receiver coils being provided with cores of hard glass tubing having an extremely smooth and accurate cylindrical inner bore whereby the beam-armatures will move within said receiver coils with very little friction.

3. In a system for remote indication of fluid rate-of-flow having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow of fluid through said tube and having indicating means remote from said rotameter; an extension tube disposed in axial ried by said elongated member and adapted to be moved within said transmitter coils by said float, a pair of generally vertical laterally-disposed parallel cylindrical receiver coils, and a pair of armatures carried by said beam and extending within said receiver coils and adapted to be pulled thereby so as to exert opposite moments upon said beam, the relative impedance oi said transmitter coils being varied upon movement of the float-carried armature thereby to vary the current flowing in the respective receiver coils so as .to vary the pull on the respective beam armatures and thus to tilt said beam, said beam having means at its opposite ends for supporting said armatures generally in the same vertical lines regardless of tilting of said beam.

4. Ina system for remote indication and integration of fluid rate-of-flow having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow of fluid through said tube, and having indicating means remote from said rotameter, and electrical counting means; an extension tube disposed in axial alignment with said metering tube, an elongated member extending from said metering float into said extension tube, a balanced beam connected to said indicating means, means for tilting said -beam responsive to movements of said float, said last-mentionedcomprising an alternating current impedance circuit including a pair of endto-end co-axial transmitter coils disposed about said extension tube, an armature carried by said elongated member and adapted to be moved within said transmitter coils by said float, a pair of generally vertical laterally-disposed receiver coils, and a pair of armatures carried by said beam and extending within said receiver coils and adapted to be pulled thereby so as to exertopposite moments upon said beam, the relative impedance of said transmitter coils being varied upon movement or the float-carried armature thereby to vary the current flowing in the respective receiver coils so as to vary the pull on the respective beam armatures and thus to tilt said beam, and means connected to said beam for varying the rate of counting of said counting means responsive to variations in the rate-oi-flow of fluid.

5. In a system for remote indication and infor free up-and down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow through said tube, and having an electrical counter; a magnet, a magnetically-operated switch adapted to actuate said counter, means for periodically interrupting the magnetic field of said magnet thereby periodically to operate said switch, and means actuated by said metering float for controlling said interrupting means for varying the rate of interruption of said magnetic field, thereby to vary the total registered by said counter during said elapsed time period.

7. In a system for measuring total fluid flow during a predetermined elapsed time period, said system having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a metering float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variation in rate-of-flow through said tube, and having an electrical counter; a magnet, a magnetically-operated switch adapted to actuate said counter, means for periodically interrupting the magnetic field of said magnet thereby periodically to operate said switch, said last-mentioned means including a slotted interruptor wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said switch, and means Y v actuated by said metering float for varying the tegration of fluid rate-oi-flow having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-oi-flow of fluid through said tube, and having indicating means remote from said rotameter, and electrical counting means; a balanced beam connected to said indicating means, means for tilting said beam responsive to movements 01' said float, said lastmentioned means comprising an alternating current impedance circuit including a pair of endto-end transmitter coils co-axial with said meter ing tube, an armature carried by said float and adapted to be moved within said transmitter coils, a pair of generally vertical laterally-disposed receiver coils, and a pair of armatures carried by said beam and extending within said receiver coils and adapted to be pulled thereby so as to exert opposite moments upon said beam,

the relative impedance of said'transmitter coils being varied upon movement of the float-carried armature thereby to vary the current-flowing in the respective receiver coils so as to vary the rate of rotation of said interruptor wheel, thereby to vary the total registered by said counter during said elapsed time period.

8. In a system for measuring total fluid flow during a predetermined elapsed time period, said system having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a metering float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow through said tube, and having an electrical counter; a magnet, a magnetically-operated switch adapted to actuate said counter, means for periodically interrupting the magnetic fleld of said magnet thereby periodically to operate said switch, said last-mentioned means including a slotted interruptor wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said switch, and means for varying the rate of interruption of said magnetic field thereby to vary the total registeredby said counter during said elapsed time period, said last-mentioned means including a balanced beam, an electrical impedance circuit for tilting said beam responsive to movement of said metering float, and means actuated by tilting of said beam for varying the rate of rotation of said interruptor wheel.

9. In a system for measuring total fluid flow during a predetermined elapsed time period, said system having a rotameter including a vertical metering tube and a metering float adapted for free up-and-down movement responsive to variations in rate-of-flow through said tube, and having an electrical counter; a, magnet, a magnetically-operated switch adapted to actuate said counter, means for periodically interrupting the magnetic field of said magnet thereby periodically to operate said switch, said interrupting means including a slotted interruptor wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said switch, and means for varying the rate of interruption of said magnetic fleld thereby to vary the total registeredby said counter during said elapsed time period, said last-mentioned means including a cam, means for rotating said cam responsive to movement of said metering float and means for varying the rate of rotation of said interruptor wheel responsive to rotation of said cam.

NATHANIEL BREWER. 

